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      Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling thriving in Dream Team despite Chelsea’s stumbling form

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      TODD BOEHLY will be writing to Uefa this morning demanding a reason why Chelsea weren’t gifted their obligatory New Manager Bounce™ last night.Tradition dictates that a switch of head coaches results in a immediate uplift in form and so the Stamford Bridge faithful have every right to feel shortchanged by a 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg to mark Graham Potter’s first game in charge of the Blues.
      Having lost to Dinamo Zagreb last week, Chelsea would have been desperate for a win on home soil to kickstart their Champions League campaign.
      For a while it looked as if the hosts would take all three points as Raheem Sterling (£4.7m) opened the scoring three minutes into the second half with a precise finish.
      However, the Austrian side grabbed an equaliser against the run of play in the 75th minute through Noah Okafor and were able to hold on for a point in west London.
      Sterling has scored four goals in eight appearances for Chelsea so farCredit: getty
      Chelsea had 72% possession and registered 17 shots to Salzburg’s four but it ultimately proved to be another frustrating night.
      The Blues find themselves bottom of Group E after two European fixtures and they’re yet to play AC Milan, the reigning Serie A champions.
      Combine this with disappointing domestic defeats to Leeds and Southampton and it’s fair to say Chelsea’s form is wobbly at best, hence the change in dugout personnel.
      This has largely been reflected in the world of Dream Team but there are two notable exceptions.
      Thiago Silva (£5.4m) and the aforementioned Sterling are thriving despite their side’s stumbling results.
      The Brazilian veteran narrowly swooped the Star Man award on Wednesday night to bank eight points and take his overall tally to 36.
      Fine wines and all thatCredit: getty
      At the time of writing, only two defenders, Kieran Trippier (£3.9m) and Joao Cancelo (£7.2m), have more points at this stage.
      Silva has managed to achieve this feat without regular clean sheets by claiming three Star Man awards, the joint most in 2022/23.
      The 37-year-old centre-back currently appears in 3.8% of teams – his ownership will surely rise in the coming weeks, particularly if Potter whips the defence as a whole into shape.
      Similarly, Sterling is the third-best asset in his position having amassed 35 points.
      He too pocketed eight points against Salzburg by virtue of his fourth goal of the campaign. coming in his eighth outing.
      The England international has also provided an assist and is averaging a goal involvement every 135.2 minutes for his new club.
      Pascal Gross (£3m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£7.5m) are the only two midfielders with more points than Sterling at the time of writing.
      The Chelsea pair are proving healthy returns
      Given the evidence at hand, it seems if Dream Team gaffers would be wise to discard all Chelsea assets except for Silva and Sterling.
      However, it feels as if Reece James (£5.5m) isn’t far off a couple of healthy hauls – his underlining attacking stats are strong.
      An important thing to note, Chelsea’s fixture against Liverpool in Game Week 7 has been postponed so Dream Team managers certainly shouldn’t transfer any Stamford Bridge residents into their XI until at least the international break.

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      Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang breaks silence over Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea sacking and was ‘frustrated’ and ‘sad’ over axe

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has opened up on the sacking of his close friend Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea last week after a shock defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, just a few days after the transfer window closed and Chelsea spent a record-breaking amount.
      Thomas Tuchel was sacked just days after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined the clubCredit: Getty
      New boss Graham Potter got his first taste of action in the Champions League last night, but despite a dominant display they were left frustrated after conceding a late goal to draw 1-1.
      Following the game Aubameyang was asked about Tuchel and the result, and told Hayters TV: “Everyone knows the relationship that I had with Thomas.
      “It’s always sad when someone leaves the club. Obviously, I just saw him for a few days.
      “When you play football you have to adapt very quickly to some moments in the season, this can happen.”
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      Aubameyang also revealed he had not yet spoken to Tuchel, but revealed what he thought the German was feeling: “I think he was a bit frustrated and sad, obviously.
      “I will try to talk to him as soon as possible. It’s been a crazy week for all of us, that’s part of life, we have to adapt.

      “I think it’s a bit of sadness at the moment, hopefully we’ll get back to better days soon.
      “Obviously, I think it’s a bit strange for everybody, not only for me, but as I said, this is football, you have to adapt.
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      “When you play for Chelsea you need results as soon as possible, that’s why I’m a bit frustrated today.”
      The striker also praised new manager Potter for his impact and the clarity in which he has delivered his new ideas to the dressing room. More

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      ‘Nobody would turn down an offer from Chelsea’ – Brighton star Moises Caicedo opens door to transfer reunion with Potter

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      MOISES CAICEDO has admitted it would be a “dream” to move to Chelsea and work with Graham Potter again.The Blues were keen on the 20-year-old even before Potter left Brighton to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
      Moises Caicedo says ‘nobody would turn down’ a move to Chelsea and could reunite with Graham Potter at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      And now the Ecuadorian is said to be a target in the January window, when the new boss can put his own stamp on things through the transfer market.
      Caicedo spoke to Argentine outlet Ole about the possibility of a reunion at the Premier League giants later in the season.
      He said: “It made me very sad now that Potter left for Chelsea, because he helped me a lot and I wanted to continue having him as a manager, but that’s football.
      “You never know. Today you can be here and tomorrow somewhere else, that’s the job of a footballer and a coach.
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      “At Brighton he worked very well and people love him very much. I’m very happy for him and for the great opportunity that was presented to him. 
      “Right now I’m very focused on Brighton and the World Cup. I want to have a great World Cup and then we’ll see what happens.
      “I think they are one of the best teams in the world and nobody would turn down an offer from Chelsea or any other club like that.
      “It’d be a dream to be in the best teams in the world and succeed there.”
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      The midfielder spent 18 months playing under Potter at Brighton.
      Caicedo had started every league game this term before the Englishman departed the Amex.
      The youngster was starting to flourish, fulfilling his dream of playing in the top flight.
      He revealed he wants to play at the very top and will do what he can to accomplish his ambition of winning a title.
      Caicedo added: “From a very young age I have dreamed of doing things very well in order to be at the top.
      “I like to win titles and it would be a dream to win the Premier League. That is why I have come here, not only to compete, but to win titles.
      “I want to be the Ecuadorian who has won the most titles in his career. I am working very hard for it and I want to achieve it.” More

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      Chelsea set to be joined by Man City in January transfer move for Rafael Leao after AC Milan rejected summer approach

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      MANCHESTER CITY are set to join Chelsea in the hunt for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.San Siro technical director Paolo Maldini has confirmed the Blues had an approach for the winger knocked back in the summer.
      Rafael Leao is a reported target for Chelsea and Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
      And now City are hoping to pounce.
      The 23-year-old is “liked” by Pep Guardiola and his Premier League champions, according to Calciomercato.
      But Guardiola and Co will face stiff competition from Chelsea if they decide to swoop for the Portugal international.
      Exciting winger Leao was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the course of the summer.
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      Reports claimed the Blues had lodged a late offer for Leao in the final days of the window.
      And AC Milan technical director Maldini has revealed an official bid never arrived, but the Blues did discuss an informal offer.
      The proposal was immediately rebuffed by the Serie A champions.
      Maldini told Sky Italia, via SempreMilan: “Rafa knows that to become even stronger the solution is to stay with us. We are a young and growing team.
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      “We intend to do great things and grow with him. If he then reaches a higher level than Milan, we can think about it.
      “An official offer from Chelsea never arrived, but on an informal level it did. Of course, it was refused.”
      Leao has not let the speculation get to him with the winger enjoying a stunning start to the campaign.
      The winger has scored three goals and provided six assists in just eight games this season.
      But in a blow to Chelsea and City, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has confirmed the club intend to offer Leao a new contract. More

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      Potter’s No1 priority must be to restore Chelsea squad’s confidence after his £100m selection call on debut backfires

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      AS a Chelsea manager it is not that difficult to leave £100million of talent out of your team.But when it is your opening night and your first big call it is something of a statement.
      Graham Potter walks away with a draw in his first game in charge at ChelseaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Graham Potter’s decision to drop Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly triggered a sense of anticipation that something radical was happening.
      Both new signings and both centre halves – it was a significant shake-up of the defence for starters.
      Especially when Potter’s old Brighton player Marc Cucurella played as a left-sided centre back. 
      Reece James was employed as a right wing back with Sterling on the opposite flank. Although there was a lot of ‘wing’ and not much ‘back’ to Sterling’s game.
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      So much emphasis is placed on tactics in the over-analysed modern game that a positional shift of five yards for one player creates raptures and rage in equal measure among the hipsters who live for low-blocks and transitions.
      Tactics make differences but there is nothing like sacking a manager to get a team to suddenly up its game.
      And there was an early sign of an increase in tempo from Chelsea compared to last week’s tripe dished up at Dinamo Zagreb.
      New boss Potter did not receive an official unveiling to the crowd.
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      He simply stood, in black suit, using positive encouragement with his players – gone were the animated gestures of his recently departed predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
      There was no sign of the regular touchline dressing downs aimed at random players either under the old head coach which often made for better viewing than some of the football.
      Clearly Potter will take a carrot and not a stick approach to encouraging his players.
      Even so, feisty Tuchel’s 19 months in charge did bring in a second Champions League title last year and the Chelsea fans wanted to say thanks and goodbye by chanting his name in the 21st minute.
      Chelsea had registered zero shots on target at that time and forced Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn to make only two saves by half time.
      Despite the arrival of a new boss and the subsequent rise in commitment, it was still same old Chelsea until Sterling scored three minutes into the second half.
      Yet still the problems and lack of confidence which has been dogging Chelsea for some time now persisted.
      That is going to be a slow process for Potter to work on. But it must be his top priority.
      Against a team from one of the weakest leagues in Europe they could not press home their advantage and ultimately it cost Potter a big win on debut night.
      It has not been easy for the boys, they have responded to us really well over the last few days and it’s a point we will have to take and get better. Graham Potter
      And having left two key defenders out it was one he kept on the pitch who played a key role in their undoing.
      Thiago Silva’s poorly timed tackle on Salzburg’s Junior Adamu exposed the defence and in-form Noah Okafor, with four goals in four games, added a fifth with a low shot that added to the misery as it cannoned off the inside of skipper Cesar Azpilicueta’s leg on its way into the net.
      Potter said:  “We’re disappointed with the result. I thought the boys gave everything.
      “We scored a good goal, but lost a bit in the second half but their goalkeeper has made some good saves.
      “It is what it is, we have to dust ourselves down. Personality and application was good, we will get better.
      “We got Raheem in one-on-one situations quite often and the goal was a good result of that.
      “It’s always irritating when you concede a goal. Overall the defensive performance was quite good, it’s just the little details we will have to improve.
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      “It has not been easy for the boys, they have responded to us really well over the last few days and it’s a point we will have to take and get better.
      “The attitude has been fantastic, no complaints apart from the fact we have not taken three points.”
      Noah Okafor equalised for SalzburgCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Chelsea confirm Graham Potter’s backroom staff with manager raiding Brighton for key coaches

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      CHELSEA have confirmed new manager Graham Potter’s backroom staff ahead of his first game in charge on Wednesday.The ex-Brighton boss replaced Thomas Tuchel last week after the German was sacked after a poor start to the campaign.
      Potter’s backroom staff has been confirmed after his move to ChelseaCredit: PA
      Within 24 hours of Tuchel’s dismissal Potter was confirmed as his successor.
      And he was due to kickstart his spell at Stamford Bridge away at Fulham on Saturday.
      But football was postponed over the weekend following the death of The Queen.
      It means Potter’s first game in charge now comes at home to RB Salzburg in the Champions League this evening.
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      And just hours before the clash, Chelsea announced their new manager’s seven key lieutenants.
      His confirmed backroom staff is as follows:

      Billy Reid – Assistant Coach
      Bjorn Hamberg – Assistant Coach
      Bruno – Assistant Coach
      Anthony Barry – Assistant Coach
      Hilario – Goalkeeper Coach
      Ben Roberts – Goalkeeper Coach
      Kyle Macaulay – Recruitment

      Reid comes to West London having previously been Potter’s assistant at Ostersunds, Swansea City and Brighton, while Hamberg and Macaulay have been working alongside Potter for more than a decade.
      Brighton legend Bruno took up a role with Potter in 2019 after hanging up his boots as a player for the Seagulls.
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      But there are still a couple of familiar faces at Chelsea who have been kept on following the appointment of Potter.
      Barry, who has been a part of the backroom staff at Stamford Bridge since 2020, will remain an assistant coach.
      And goalkeeping coach Hilario, who made 39 appearances for the Blues between 2006 and 2012, will also stay at the club under Potter.
      He will be joined by Roberts – who was between the sticks for Middlesbrough against Chelsea in the 1997 FA Cup final.
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      Roberts, who arrives at Stamford Bridge with Potter, conceded the fastest-ever FA Cup final goal when Roberto Di Matteo scored after just 42 seconds at Wembley.
      Chelsea went on to beat Boro 2-0 and lift the trophy for a second time. More

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      Chelsea ‘offer PSG chief Luis Campos £135k a week to take over as sporting director and spearhead £261m transfer spree’

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      CHELSEA offered Paris Saint-Germain football advisor Luis Campos a whopping £7m salary to move to Stamford Bridge and spearhead their next transfer spree.New owner Todd Boehly is continuing to shake things up after sacking Thomas Tuchel and replacing him with Graham Potter as he also wants to hire Campos, 58, as the club’s new director of football.
      Chelsea are keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain football advisor Luis CamposCredit: AFP
      Chelsea have offered a large salary package to hire Luis Campos as director of footballCredit: AFP
      According to Le Parisien, the Blues have offered the Portuguese executive an estimated £135,000 per week to take charge of the next two transfer windows.
      Boehly will also hand the PSG chief a whopping €300m (£261m) transfer kitty to land Potter’s top targets come January.
      There is no clause in Campos’ contract with the French champions that prevents him from accepting Chelsea’s bid.
      However, the same reports suggest PSG would be entitled to some compensation.
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      And a departure from Paris currently seems “improbable” for the near future.
      The West Londoners splashed a record £273.5m during this past summer transfer window.
      Chelsea signed Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Gabriel Slonina, Omari Hutchinson, Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.
      And Boehly is now prepared to back more signings as the club still targets a top-four finish.
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      Potter seems set to receive adequate time and faith to prove himself at the helm.
      That means the ex-Brighton boss’ work does not depend on Champions League qualification as his appointment on a five-year deal marks a long-term project. More

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      Jorginho says Chelsea flops responsible for Tuchel’s sacking and tells team-mates to get up to speed with Potter’s ideas

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      JORGINHO says Chelsea players tried their best to deliver success for Thomas Tuchel but admitted “it wasn’t working anymore”.The Italy midfielder was one of the stand-out stars for Tuchel’s Blues during his 19 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.
      Jorginho says Chelsea players are excited about working under Graham PotterCredit: AFP
      And after the German’s surprise sacking last week – and drafting in of Brighton gaffer Graham Potter as his successor – Jorginho admits he was sad to see Tuchel go.
      The former Napoli star told Absolute Chelsea: “It was a surprise for everyone. What has been said between the players will stay there.
      “Now we have games coming. Life is quick, we don’t have much time to think again and again.”
      Defeats and poor performances led Tuchel to say he felt his Blues side lacked mental toughness this season.
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      On that point, Jorginho said: “It was his feeling in that moment.
      “And he said that to us as well.
      “We tried what we could to try to do our best. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working anymore.
      “The challenge now is to rebuild that confidence.”
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      Potter will start his Blues tenure with a Champions League visit from RB Salzburg on Wednesday.
      Jorginho added: “I think Graham will do well here.
      “He has very good ideas and he has players ready to try and do what he wants and listen – [that is a] combination for results” More